System and method for scaling a video presentation based on presentation complexity and room participants

ABSTRACT

A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a first presentation material for a videoconference, wherein the first presentation material is to be displayed in a display area associated with the videoconference; determining a first complexity of the first presentation material; and displaying the first presentation material on a first display based on the determined first complexity. In more particular embodiments, the method can include determining a location of a participant that will view the first presentation material; and displaying the presentation material on a second display based on the location of the participant. The location of the participant can be determined using audio data or video data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e)to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/558,813 “SYSTEM AND METHOD FORSCALING A VIDEO PRESENTATION BASED ON PRESENTATION COMPLEXITY AND ROOMPARTICIPANTS” filed Jul. 26, 2012 which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates in general to the field of communications and,more particularly, to scaling a video presentation based on presentationcomplexity and room participants.

BACKGROUND

Video services have become increasingly important in today's society. Incertain architectures, service providers may seek to offer sophisticatedvideoconferencing services for their participants. The videoconferencingarchitecture can offer an “in-person” meeting experience over a network.Videoconferencing architectures can deliver real-time, face-to-faceinteractions between people using advanced visual, audio, andcollaboration technologies. The ability to optimize video communicationsprovides a significant challenge to system designers, devicemanufacturers, and service providers alike.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To provide a more complete understanding of the present disclosure andfeatures and advantages thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, whereinlike reference numerals represent like parts, in which:

FIG. 1A is a simplified block diagram of a system for scaling a videopresentation based on presentation complexity and room participants inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a simplified block diagram illustrating an alternativeembodiment of the present disclosure in which display areas are varied;

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating example detailsassociated with internal structures associated with the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 3A-4B are simplified block diagrams illustrating example displayareas associated with the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 a simplified flowchart illustrating potential operationsassociated with the system in accordance with an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is another simplified flowchart illustrating potential operationsassociated with the system in accordance with an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is another simplified flowchart illustrating potential operationsassociated with the system in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS Overview

A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving afirst presentation material for a videoconference, wherein the firstpresentation material is to be displayed in a display area associatedwith the videoconference; determining a first complexity of the firstpresentation material; and displaying the first presentation material ona first display based on the determined first complexity. In moreparticular embodiments, the method can include determining a location ofa participant that will view the first presentation material; anddisplaying the presentation material on a second display based on thelocation of the participant. The location of the participant can bedetermined using audio data or video data.

In yet other more detailed embodiments, the display area comprises asingle screen that can be electronically divided into a plurality ofsmaller screens. In addition, the determining can include, for example,scanning the first presentation material to determine the firstcomplexity and a text size associated with the first presentationmaterial. In yet other example implementations, a face detectionoperation, voice positioning data, room setup information, data frommultiple camera angles, etc. can be used to determine an approximatedistance between a participant of the videoconference and a screen beingviewed by the participant.

Example EMBODIMENTS

Turning to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1A is a simplified block diagram of a system 10for scaling a video presentation based on presentation complexity androom participants in accordance with one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. System 10 includes a presentation room 12 a, remotepresentation rooms 12 b and 12 c, a camera 14, a display area 16,participants 18 a-d, a microphone 20, a video presentation device 22,speakers 46, and a network 48. Display area 16 includes display screens42 a-c. Video presentation device 22 includes a decoder 24, an encoder26, and a video display control module 28.

Display screens 42 a and 42 c contain remote participants 18 e and 18 f.Each remote participant 18 e and 181 may be a single participant or aplurality of participants and may be from the same remote presentationroom (e.g., remote presentation room 12 b) or from different remotepresentation rooms (e.g., remote participant 18 e may be from remotepresentation room 12 b and remote participant 181 may be from remotepresentation room 12 c). Display screen 42 b contains presentationmaterial 44. Video presentation device 22 is configured to displayremote participants 18 e and 18 f and presentation material 44 ondisplay screens 42 a-c.

System 10 can be configured to automatically scale presentation content(e.g., presentation material 44) in a multi-display Telepresence callbased on the distance participants (e.g., participants 18 a-d) are fromthe displays (e.g., display screen 42 a-c) and/or the complexity of thepresentation material (e.g., presentation material 44). In oneparticular example, system 10 can be configured to determine that thecomplexity of presentation material 44 has increased and, based on thatdetermination, presentation material 44 is automatically moved from onescreen to a bigger screen.

FIG. 1B is introduced in order to highlight these activities. Morespecifically, FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating an alternativearrangement for display area 16 in accordance with an example embodimentof system 10. Due to the complexity of presentation material 44, it hasbeen moved to a bigger screen (i.e., display screen 42 c, as illustratedin FIG. 1B). In another particular example, system 10 can be configuredto determine that the distance of participants 18 a-d to display area 16has increased (e.g., participants 18 a-d move to a far end of a table)and, based on that determination, presentation material 44 isautomatically moved from one screen (e.g., display screen 42 b, asillustrated in FIG. 1A) to a bigger screen (e.g., display screen 42 c,as illustrated in FIG. 1B). In yet another embodiment, system 10 can beconfigured to determine both the complexity of presentation material 44and the distance of participants 18 a-d to display area 16 and, based onthose determinations, presentation material 44 is automatically movedfrom one screen (e.g., display screen 42 b, as illustrated in FIG. 1A)to a bigger screen (e.g., display screen 42 c, as illustrated in FIG.1B).

For purposes of illustrating certain example techniques of system 10, itis important to understand some of the challenges associated withvideoconferencing. The following foundational information may be viewedas a basis from which the present disclosure may be properly explained.Videoconferencing allows two or more locations to interact viasimultaneous two-way video and audio transmissions. The usability ofsystems for videoconferencing and Telepresence needs to be able to servemultiple purposes such as connect separate locations by high qualitytwo-way video and audio links, share presentations and other graphicmaterial (static graphics or film) with accompanying audio, provide ameans for live collaboration between participants in the separatelocations, etc. Typical videoconferencing systems comprise a number ofend-points communicating real-time video, audio and/or data (oftenreferred to as duo video) streams over and between various networks suchas WAN, LAN, and circuit switched networks. A number of videoconferencesystems residing at different sites may participate in the sameconference, most often, through one or more Multipoint Control Units(MCUs) perform switching and mixing functions to allow the audiovisualterminals to intercommunicate properly.

Videoconferencing systems presently provide communication between atleast two locations for allowing a videoconference among participantssituated at each station. Typically, the videoconferencing arrangementsare provided with one or more cameras. The outputs of those cameras aretransmitted along with audio signals to a corresponding plurality ofdisplays at a second location such that the participants at the firstlocation are perceived to be present or face-to-face with participantsat the second location. Videoconferencing and Telepresence continues togrow, where new functions are continually being developed to augmentsystem performance and to improve the user's experience. Along similarlines, video resolution has advanced, and the screen size hassystematically increased. To maximize the usability of systems forvideoconferencing and Telepresence, they should be able to servemultiple purposes, for example, connect separated locations by highquality two-way video and audio links, share presentations and othergraphic material (static graphics or film) with accompanying audio,provide tools for live collaborations between people in separategeographic locations, etc.

The representation of people from a separate location, for instancesitting at a meeting room table, is done by capturing a video image witha camera, and reproducing the image on a screen locally. The display islike looking through a transparent boundary into the other room. Thesame applies to multi-channel audio captured by a microphone system. Inaddition, a multi-site or connecting multiple rooms and/or sites isoften required. As a result, the layout of the reproduction quicklybecomes a challenge, especially with multiple sites and with many peoplein each site. The representation of a presentation (documents,pre-produced graphics material or film) should be presented in such amanner as to allow participants to be able to understand thepresentation. During a Telepresence meeting, presentation content(PowerPoint slides, spreadsheets, etc.) can have varying complexity,detail, and text size that can be difficult for some participants toread due to the complexity of the presentation material and/or theirvarying distance from the display area.

In accordance with one example implementation, system 10 canautomatically scale presentation content in a multi-display Telepresencecall based on the distance participants are from the display area and/orthe complexity of the presentation content. In one exampleimplementation, during a Telepresence call, when displaying apresentation on a multi-screen endpoint (e.g., display area 16), thepresentation may be extended either across multiple screens or, if thereare screens of varying size, the presentation may be displayed on anappropriately-sized screen to scale the presentation for easier reading.

In an embodiment, the scaling of the presentation may be accomplished byscanning the presentation (e.g., by any of the components of FIG. 1A) todetermine the complexity and text size of the presentation. For example,video presentation device 22 can provide this function, or an endpointcould provide this function (e.g., an i-Pad, a laptop, a tablet, etc.).In another embodiment, the use of face detection (e.g., an algorithm tobe performed by video presentation device 22), voice positioning data,room setup information, and/or data from multiple camera angles may beused to determine the distance of the participants from the screens.Again, these activities can be performed by any of the infrastructure ofFIG. 1A (e.g., video presentation device 22, endpoints, etc.). Theinformation can then be used to find a size to scale the presentationacross multiple displays (or to an appropriately sized display).

In terms of the infrastructure of the present disclosure, the callsignaling of system 10 can be provided by a session initiation protocol(SIP) in accordance with one example implementation of the presentdisclosure. In addition, the media for the videoconferencing platformcan be provided by Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP), or anyother appropriate real-time protocol. SRTP addresses security for RTPand, further, can be configured to add confidentiality, messageauthentication, and replay protection to that protocol. SRTP can bevaluable for protecting voice over IP (VoIP) traffic because it can beused in conjunction with header compression and, further, it generallyhas no effect on IP quality of service (QoS). For network addresstranslation (NAT)/firewall (FW) traversal, any suitable mechanism can beemployed by system 10. In one particular example, these functions can beprovided by a split-tunneled virtual private network (VPN) with sessiontraversal utilities for NAT (STUN) and Interactive ConnectivityEstablishment (ICE).

Signaling can propagate to a call agent via the VPN. Additionally, mediacan be sent directly from one endpoint to another endpoint (i.e., fromone videoconferencing platform to another). Note that as used herein,the term ‘media’ is inclusive of audio data (which may include voicedata) and video data (which may include any type of image data). Thevideo data can include any suitable images (such as that which iscaptured by a camera, by a counterparty's camera element, by a Webcam,by a smartphone, by an iPad, etc.). The term ‘smartphone’ as used hereinincludes any type of mobile device capable of operating in conjunctionwith a video service. This would naturally include items such as aGoogle Droid, an iPhone, etc. In addition, the term ‘signaling data’ isinclusive of any appropriate control information that can be sent towarda network. This may be inclusive of traffic used to establish a videosession initially, along with any type of negotiations (e.g., for bitrates, for bandwidth, etc.) that may be appropriate for the particularvideoconference. This may further be inclusive of items such asadministrative traffic, account traffic (for participant accountmanagement), contact lists, and/or other types of traffic, which are notprovided as part of the media data.

In order to handle symmetric NAT, Traversal Using Relay NAT (TURN) canbe used by system 10 in particular embodiments. Participant names forthe videoconferencing platform can be provided by E.164 numbers in aparticular example. Alternatively, the participant naming can be asimple participant ID (e.g., assigned by the service provider, selectedby the participant, etc.), a full name of the participant (or a groupname), an avatar, or any other symbol, number, or letter combinationthat can be used to distinguish one participant from another. Note thata single name can also be associated with a group (e.g., a department, abusiness unit, etc.). The security for communications of system 10 canbe addressed in a number of ways. In one implementation, the videoservices can be protected by any suitable security protocol (e.g.,security software, adaptive security appliances (ASA), etc.).Additionally, intrusion protection systems, firewalls, anti-denial ofservice mechanisms can be provided for the architecture (both out of thenetwork, and/or locally within a residential environment).

In operation of an example implementation, system 10 can be used toconduct videoconferences (e.g., supporting both inbound and outbounddirectional call flows). For the inbound call scenario, on reception ofan inbound call request, video presentation device 22 can be configuredto connect to a microphone(s) (e.g., microphone 20) or a pairedhandset(s) (e.g., waking it from sleep, where appropriate). Ifconfigured to do so, a user interface (UI) can also be displayed onvideo presentation device 22 or over any passthrough video sources ondisplay area 16. In the case of an ad hoc outbound conference, aparticipant can select a conferencee from their contact list, select aconferencee via a speed dial setting, or alternatively the participantcan enter any type of identifier (e.g., a telephone number, a name, avideoconferencing number directly). If the conferencee answers, the callscenario proceeds, similar to that of an inbound call. In the case of ahold and resume scenario, an in-call UI signal can be provided to put acall on hold, and subsequently the call can be resumed at a later time.Note that in other instances, system 10 can be used to execute scheduledcalls, call transfer functions, multipoint calls, and/or various otherconferencing capabilities. In one example, secure business endpoints maybe supported, where signaling and media would be secure (both audio andvideo). Appropriate messages can be displayed in a UI to inform theparticipant of the reason for any security-forced call drops. Signalingcan be considered secure by having both a business exchange and consumernetworks physically co-located, or by using a secure tunnel (e.g., asite-to-site VPN tunnel) between the two entities.

Display area 16 offers a screen or display on which video data can berendered for the participants. Note that as used herein in thisSpecification, the term ‘display’ is meant to connote any element thatis capable of delivering image data (inclusive of video information),text, sound, audiovisual data, etc. to participants. This wouldnecessarily be inclusive of any screen-cubes, panel, plasma element,television (which may be high-definition), monitor, computer interface,screen, Telepresence devices (inclusive of Telepresence boards, panels,screens, surfaces, etc.), or any other suitable element that is capableof delivering/rendering/projecting (from front or back) suchinformation. In an embodiment, display area 16 is equipped with amulti-touch system for collaboration.

In certain implementations, microphone 20 can be used as a remotecontrol for system 10. For example, microphone 20 can offer a wirelessremote control that allows it to communicate with display area 16,and/or video presentation device 22 via a wireless network link (e.g.,infrared, Bluetooth, any type of IEEE 802.11-based protocol, etc.).Microphone 20 can further be provisioned as a wireless mobile phone(e.g., a speakerphone device) with various dial pads. In otherimplementations, microphone 20 operates as a learning mechanism and/or auniversal remote controller, which allows it to readily control displayarea 16, video presentation device 22, and/or any audiovisual (AV)receiver device (e.g., managing functions such as ON/OFF, volume, inputselect, etc. to enhance the overall video experience). In a particularset of examples, a specific button on microphone 20 can launch a UI fornavigating through any number of options provided in submenus of the UIsoftware. Additionally, a dedicated button can be used to make/answercalls, end calls, turn on/off camera elements of camera 14, turn on/offmicrophone 20, turn on/off video presentation device 22, etc.Furthermore, a set of playback controls can be provided on microphone 20in order to control the video data being rendered on display area 16.

Network 48 represents a series of points or nodes of interconnectedcommunication paths for receiving and transmitting packets ofinformation that propagate through system 10. Network 48 offers acommunicative interface between presentation room 12 a and one or bothremote presentation rooms 12 b and 12 c, and may be any local areanetwork (LAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), metropolitan areanetwork (MAN), wide area network (WAN), VPN, Intranet, Extranet, or anyother appropriate architecture or system that facilitates communicationsin a network environment.

Camera 14 is a video camera configured to capture, record, maintain,cache, receive, and/or transmit image data. This could includetransmitting packets over network 48 to a suitable next destination. Thecaptured/recorded image data could be stored in camera 14, or beprovided in some suitable storage area (e.g., a database, a server,video presentation device 22, etc.). In one particular instance, camera14 can be a separate network device and have a separate IP address.Camera 14 could include a wireless camera, a high-definition camera, orany other suitable camera device configured to capture image data.

Camera 14 may interact with (or be inclusive of) devices used toinitiate a communication for a video session, such as a switch, videopresentation device 22, a proprietary endpoint, microphone 20, a dialpad, a bridge, a telephone, a computer, or any other device, component,element, or object capable of initiating video, voice, audio, media, ordata exchanges within system 10. Camera 14 may also be configured toinclude a receiving module, a transmitting module, a processor, amemory, a network interface, a call initiation and acceptance facilitysuch as a dial pad, one or more displays, etc. Any one or more of theseitems may be consolidated, combined, eliminated entirely, or variedconsiderably and those modifications may be made based on particularcommunication needs.

Camera 14 can include a high-performance lens and an optical zoom, wherecamera 14 is capable of performing panning and tilting operations. Thevideo and the audio streams can be sent from camera 14 to videopresentation device 22, where they are mixed into an HDMI stream. Incertain implementations, camera 14 can be provisioned as a light sensorsuch that the architecture can detect whether the shutter of a camera isopen or closed (or whether the shutter is partially open.) Anapplication program interface (API) can be used to control theoperations of camera 14.

Video presentation device 22 is configured to receive information fromcamera 14 (e.g., via some connection that may attach to an integrateddevice). Video presentation device 22 may also be configured to controlcompression activities, or additional processing associated with datareceived from camera 14. Alternatively, an actual integrated device canperform this additional processing before image data is sent to its nextintended destination. Video presentation device 22 can also beconfigured to store, aggregate, process, export, or otherwise maintainimage data and logs in any appropriate format, where these activitiescan involve a processor and a memory element. Video presentation device22 can include a video element that facilitates data flows betweenendpoints and a given network. As used herein in this Specification, theterm ‘video element’ is meant to encompass servers, proprietary boxes,network appliances, set-top boxes, or other suitable device, component,element, or object operable to exchange video information with camera14.

In operation, video presentation device 22 can be configured toestablish, or to foster a video session between one or more end users,which may be located in various other sites and locations. Videopresentation device 22 can also coordinate and process various policiesinvolving endpoints (e.g., a laptop, a Skype interface, a smartphone,etc.). In general, video presentation device 22 may communicate with theendpoints through any standard or proprietary conference controlprotocol. Video presentation device 22 may include a switching componentthat determines which signals are to be routed to individual endpoints.Video presentation device 22 can also determine how individual end usersand presentation materials are seen by others involved in the videoconference based on control elements (which may be found in presentationelements). Furthermore, video presentation device 22 can control thetiming and coordination of these activities. Video presentation device22 can also include a media layer that can copy information or data,which can be subsequently retransmitted or simply forwarded along to oneor more endpoints.

Video presentation device 22 may interface with camera 14 through awireless connection, or via one or more cables or wires that allow forthe propagation of signals between these elements. These devices canalso receive signals from an intermediary device, a remote control,speakers 46, etc. and the signals may leverage infrared, Bluetooth,WiFi, electromagnetic waves generally, or any other suitabletransmission protocol for communicating data (e.g., potentially over anetwork) from one element to another. Virtually any control path can beleveraged in order to deliver information between video presentationdevice 22, camera 14, microphone 20, speakers 46, etc. Transmissionsbetween these devices can be bidirectional in certain embodiments suchthat the devices can interact with each other. This would allow thedevices to acknowledge transmissions from each other and offer feedbackwhere appropriate. Any of these devices can be consolidated with eachother, or operate independently based on particular configuration needs.In one particular instance, camera 14 is intelligently powered using aUSB cable. In a more specific example, video data is transmitted over anHDMI link, and control data is communicated over a USB link.

Video presentation device 22 is a network element that can facilitatethe videoconferencing activities discussed herein. As used herein inthis Specification, the term ‘network element’ is meant to encompass anyof the aforementioned elements, as well as multipoint control units(MCUs), routers, switches, manager elements, cable boxes, gateways,bridges, loadbalancers, firewalls, inline service nodes, controllers,proxies, servers, processors, modules, or any other suitable device,component, element, proprietary appliance, or object operable toexchange information in a network environment. These network elementsmay include any suitable hardware, software, components, modules,interfaces, or objects that facilitate the operations thereof. This maybe inclusive of appropriate algorithms and communication protocols thatallow for the effective exchange of data or information.

Turning to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating exampleinternal structures associated with video presentation device 22. Inthis example, decoder 24 includes a presentation complexity module 30,which includes a processor 38 a and memory 40 a. Encoder 26 includes avideo encoder 32, an audio encoder 34, and a participant analysis module36, which includes a processor 38 b and memory 40 b. Video displaycontrol module 28 may include a processor 38 c and memory 40 c in thisparticular example embodiment.

In operation, video encoder 32 can be configured to encode videoreceived from camera 14. Audio encoder 34 can be configured to encodeaudio received from microphone 20. Encoder 26 can be configured tocommunicate the encoded video and encoded audio to remote presentationrooms 12 b and 12 c. Using the video and audio received by encoder 26,participant analysis module 36 can be configured to estimate thedistance that participants are from display area 16 by using facedetection, voice positioning data, room setup information, multiplecamera angles, or any combination thereof or any other means forestimate the distance of participants from display area 16.

Decoder 24 can be configured to receive audio and video data from remotepresentation room 12 b and/or 12 c and decode the signals to create avideo signal to be displayed on screens 42 a-c and an audio signal to besent to speakers 46. Presentation complexity module 30 can be configuredto determine the complexity of presentation material 44 present in thevideo signal. Using the complexity as determined by presentationcomplexity module 30, video display control module 28 can be configuredto determine which display to use to display presentation material 44.

Turning to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating additionaldetails associated with system 10. FIG. 3A includes display area 16,which includes multiple display screens 42 e-j, where each displayscreen 42 e-j can display content. In another embodiment, display area16 can include a single screen 42 d that can be divided into multiplesmaller screens (i.e., display screens 42 e-j may be a subdivision ofsingle screen 42 d, or may each be an individual standalone screen).

Display screen 42 e may display remote participant 18 g, display screen42 f may display remote participant 18 f, display screen 42 g maydisplay remote participant 18 e, and display screen 42 i may displaypresentation material 44. In one example, presentation material 44 isdeemed not very complex for the size of display screen 42 i andpresentation material 44 can be viewed by each participant relativelyeasily. In another example, the participants are sufficiently close todisplay area 16 such that, as displayed on display screen 42 i,presentation material 44 can be viewed by each participant relativelyeasily.

Turning to FIG. 3B, FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating additionaldetails associated with system 10. FIG. 3B includes display area 16,which may include multiple display screens 42 e-j. In anotherembodiment, display area 16 includes a single screen 42 d that can bedivided into multiple smaller screens. Display screen 42 k includespresentation material 44. Display screen 42 g includes remoteparticipant 18 g and display screen 42 j includes remote participants 18f.

In one example, presentation material 44 is complex and if displayed ondisplay screen 42 i (as shown in FIG. 3A), then presentation material 44may not have been viewed by each participant relatively easily. As aresult, system 10 displays presentation material 44 on screen 42 k foreasier viewing. In another example, the participants are notsufficiently close to display area 16 and if presentation material 44was displayed on screen display screen 42 i (as shown in FIG. 3A), thenpresentation material 44 may not have been viewed by each participantrelatively easily. As a result, system 10 displays presentation material44 on screen 42 k for easier viewing for the conference participants.

Turning to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating additionaldetails associated with system 10. FIG. 4A includes display area 16,which may include primary display 421 and secondary display 42 m.Primary display 421 may include a display of participants 18 f.Secondary display 42 m includes a display of presentation material 44.In one example, presentation material 44 is complex and presentationmaterial 44 may not be viewed by each participant viewing secondarydisplay 42 m relatively easily. In another example, the participants aresome distance away from display area 16 such that presentation material44 may not be viewed by each participant relatively easily. As a result,the area presentation material 44 is displayed needs to be larger.

Turning to FIG. 4B, FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating additionaldetails associated with system 10. FIG. 4B includes display area 16.Display area 16 includes primary display 421 and secondary display 42 m.Primary display 421 includes a display of presentation material 44.Secondary display 42 m includes a display of participants 18 f.

In one example, presentation material 44 is complex and if presentationmaterial 44 was displayed on secondary display 42 m (as shown in FIG.4A), then presentation material 44 may not have been viewed by eachparticipant relatively easily. As a result, system 10 displayspresentation material 44 on primary display 421 for easier viewing bythe conference participants. In another example, the participants arenot sufficiently close to display area 16 and if presentation material44 was displayed on secondary display 42 m (as shown in FIG. 4A), thenpresentation material 44 may not have been viewed by each participantrelatively easily. As a result, system 10 displays presentation material44 on primary display 421 for easier viewing by the conferenceparticipants.

Turning to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart 500 illustratingexample activities associated with scaling a Telepresence videopresentation based on room participants. At 502, room audio and/or roomvideo data from a conference room is captured. At 504, the captured roomaudio and/or room video data is analyzed to determine the generallocation of participants in the conference room. At 506, the systemdetermines if a size of a screen on which presentation material will bedisplayed is adequate based on the location of the participants. If thesystem determines that the size of the screen on which presentationmaterial will be displayed is adequate based on the location of theparticipants, then room audio and/or room video data from the conferenceroom is captured, as illustrated in 502. This will determine if thelocation of the participants has changed. If the system determines thatthe size of the screen on which presentation material will be displayedis not adequate based on the location of the participants, then the sizeof the screen the presentation material will be displayed on is adjustedso the screen size is adequate to display the presentation material, asillustrated in 508.

Turning to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a simplified flowchart 600 illustratingexample activities associated with scaling a Telepresence videopresentation based on presentation complexity. At 602, presentation datafor presentation material on a display screen is received. At 604, thepresentation data is analyzed to determine the complexity of thepresentation material to be displayed. At 606, the system determines ifa size of a screen on which the presentation material will be displayedis adequate based on the complexity of the presentation material. If thesystem determines that the size of the screen on which the presentationmaterial will be displayed is adequate based on the complexity of thepresentation material, then presentation data for (new) presentationmaterial on the display screen is received, as illustrated in 602. Ifthe system determines that the size of the screen on which thepresentation material will be displayed is not adequate based on thecomplexity of the presentation material, then the size of the screen onwhich the presentation material will be displayed is adjusted so thescreen size is adequate to display the presentation material, asillustrated in 608.

Turning to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 is a simplified flowchart 700 illustratingexample activities associated with scaling a Telepresence videopresentation based on presentation complexity and room participants. At702, presentation data for a presentation on a display screen in aconference room is received. At 704, the presentation data is analyzedto determine the complexity of presentation material to be displayed. At706, room audio and/or room video data from the conference room iscaptured. At 708, the captured room audio and/or room video data isanalyzed to determine an approximate location of participants in theconference room.

At 710, the system determines if the size of the screen on which thepresentation material will be displayed is adequate based on thecomplexity of the presentation material and the determined location ofthe participants in the conference room. If the size of the screen onwhich the presentation material will be displayed is adequate based onthe complexity of the presentation material and the determined locationof the participants in the conference room, then presentation data for a(new) presentation on a display screen in a conference room is received,as illustrated in 702. If the size of the screen on which presentationmaterial will be displayed is not adequate based on the complexity ofthe presentation material and the determined location of theparticipants in the conference room, then the size of the screen onwhich the presentation material will be displayed is adjusted so thescreen size is adequate to display the presentation material, asillustrated in 712.

In one implementation, video presentation device 22 includes software toachieve (or to foster) the videoconferencing activities discussedherein. This could include the implementation of instances ofpresentation complexity module 30, participant analysis module 36, andvideo display control module 28. Additionally, each of these elementscan have an internal structure (e.g., a processor, a memory element,etc.) to facilitate some of the operations described herein. In otherembodiments, these videoconferencing activities may be executedexternally to these elements, or included in some other network elementto achieve the intended functionality. Alternatively, video presentationdevice 22 may include software (or reciprocating software) that cancoordinate with other network elements in order to achieve thevideoconferencing activities described herein. In still otherembodiments, one or several devices may include any suitable algorithms,hardware, software, components, modules, interfaces, or objects thatfacilitate the operations thereof.

Hence, a network element (e.g., video presentation device 22) caninclude software to achieve the videoconferencing operations, asoutlined herein in this Specification. In certain exampleimplementations, the videoconferencing functions outlined herein may beimplemented by logic encoded in one or more tangible, non-transitorymedia (e.g., embedded logic provided in an application specificintegrated circuit [ASIC], digital signal processor [DSP] instructions,software [potentially inclusive of object code and source code] to beexecuted by a processor [processors 38 a-c shown in FIG. 2], or othersimilar machine, etc.). In some of these instances, a memory element[memory 40 a-c shown in FIG. 2] can store data used for the operationsdescribed herein. This includes the memory element being able to storesoftware, logic, code, or processor instructions that are executed tocarry out the activities described in this Specification.

The processor can execute any type of instructions associated with thedata to achieve the operations detailed herein in this Specification. Inone example, the processor could transform an element or an article(e.g., data) from one state or thing to another state or thing. Inanother example, the activities outlined herein may be implemented withfixed logic or programmable logic (e.g., software/computer instructionsexecuted by the processor) and the elements identified herein could besome type of a programmable processor, programmable digital logic (e.g.,a field programmable gate array [FPGA], an erasable programmable readonly memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM))or an ASIC that includes digital logic, software, code, electronicinstructions, or any suitable combination thereof.

Any of these elements (e.g., the network elements, etc.) can includememory elements for storing information to be used in achieving thevideoconferencing activities as outlined herein. Additionally, each ofthese devices may include a processor that can execute software or analgorithm to perform the videoconferencing activities as discussed inthis Specification. These devices may further keep information in anysuitable memory element [random access memory (RAM), ROM, EPROM, EEPROM,ASIC, etc.], software, hardware, or in any other suitable component,device, element, or object where appropriate and based on particularneeds. Any of the memory items discussed herein should be construed asbeing encompassed within the broad term ‘memory element.’ Similarly, anyof the potential processing elements, modules, and machines described inthis Specification should be construed as being encompassed within thebroad term ‘processor.’ Each of the network elements can also includesuitable interfaces for receiving, transmitting, and/or otherwisecommunicating data or information in a network environment.

Note that with the examples provided above, interaction may be describedin terms of two, three, or four network elements. However, this has beendone for purposes of clarity and example only. In certain cases, it maybe easier to describe one or more of the functionalities of a given setof flows by only referencing a limited number of network elements. Itshould be appreciated that system 10 (and its teachings) are readilyscalable and, further, can accommodate a large number of components, aswell as more complicated/sophisticated arrangements and configurations.Accordingly, the examples provided should not limit the scope or inhibitthe broad teachings of system 10, as potentially applied to a myriad ofother architectures.

It is also important to note that the steps in the preceding FIGURESillustrate only some of the possible scenarios that may be executed by,or within, system 10. Some of these steps may be deleted or removedwhere appropriate, or these steps may be modified or changedconsiderably without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.In addition, a number of these operations have been described as beingexecuted concurrently with, or in parallel to, one or more additionaloperations. However, the timing of these operations may be alteredconsiderably. The preceding operational flows have been offered forpurposes of example and discussion. Substantial flexibility is providedby system 10 in that any suitable arrangements, chronologies,configurations, and timing mechanisms may be provided without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure.

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail withreference to particular arrangements and configurations, these exampleconfigurations and arrangements may be changed significantly withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure. For example,although the present disclosure has been described with reference toparticular communication exchanges involving certain types of endpoints,system 10 is applicable to other endpoint types (e.g., laptops,notebooks, tablets, i-Pads, etc.). Additionally, although specific typesof signaling and security have been discussed herein, other signalingexchanges and protocols in which data are exchanged in order to providevideoconferencing operations are clearly encompassed within the broadteachings of the present disclosure. In addition, although system 10 hasbeen illustrated with reference to particular elements and operationsthat facilitate the communication process, these elements and operationsmay be replaced by any suitable architecture or process that achievesthe intended functionality of system 10.

Numerous other changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, andmodifications may be ascertained to one skilled in the art and it isintended that the present disclosure encompass all such changes,substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications as fallingwithin the scope of the appended claims. In order to assist the UnitedStates Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and, additionally, anyreaders of any patent issued on this application in interpreting theclaims appended hereto, Applicant wishes to note that the Applicant: (a)does not intend any of the appended claims to invoke paragraph six (6)of 35 U.S.C. section 112 as it exists on the date of the filing hereofunless the words “means for” or “step for” are specifically used in theparticular claims; and (b) does not intend, by any statement in thespecification, to limit this disclosure in any way that is not otherwisereflected in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving a firstpresentation material for display on a display area, wherein the displayarea includes a first display and a second display; determining a firstcomplexity of the first presentation material; and displaying the firstpresentation material on the first display, based at least in part onthe determined complexity of the first presentation material.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a second presentationmaterial to be displayed; determining a second complexity of the secondpresentation material, wherein the second complexity is greater than thefirst complexity; displaying the first presentation material on thesecond display; and displaying the second presentation material on thefirst display, wherein the first display is larger than the seconddisplay.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the display area includes asingle display screen that can be electronically divided into aplurality of smaller screens.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein thedisplay area includes a plurality of standalone display screens.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the determining the first complexity of thefirst presentation material further comprises: scanning the firstpresentation material to determine the first complexity and a text sizeassociated with the first presentation material.
 6. The method of claim1, the operations further comprising: determining a location of aparticipant that will view the first presentation material; anddisplaying the presentation material on the second display based on thelocation of the participant.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein thelocation of the participant is determined using audio data or videodata.
 8. Logic encoded in non-transitory media that includes code forexecution and when executed by a processor operable to performoperations comprising: receiving a first presentation material fordisplay on a display area, wherein the display area includes a firstdisplay and a second display; determining a first complexity of thefirst presentation material; and displaying the first presentationmaterial on the first display, based at least in part on the determinedcomplexity of the first presentation material.
 9. The logic of claim 8,further comprising: receiving a second presentation material to bedisplayed; determining a second complexity of the second presentationmaterial, wherein the second complexity is greater than the firstcomplexity; displaying the first presentation material on the seconddisplay; and displaying the second presentation material on the firstdisplay, wherein the first display is larger than the second display.10. The logic of claim 8, wherein the display area includes a singledisplay screen that can be electronically divided into a plurality ofsmaller screens.
 11. The logic of claim 8, wherein the display areaincludes a plurality of standalone display screens.
 12. The logic ofclaim 8, wherein the determining the first complexity of the firstpresentation material further comprises: scanning the first presentationmaterial to determine the first complexity and a text size associatedwith the first presentation material.
 13. The logic of claim 8, theoperations further comprising: determining a location of a participantthat will view the first presentation material; and displaying thepresentation material on the second display based on the location of theparticipant.
 14. The logic of claim 8, wherein the location of theparticipant is determined using audio data or video data.
 15. A networkelement, comprising: a memory element configured to store data; a videodisplay control module; and a processor operable to execute instructionsassociated with the data, wherein the processor, the video displaycontrol module, and the memory element cooperate such that the networkelement is configured to: receive a first presentation material fordisplay on a display area, wherein the display area includes a firstdisplay and a second display; determine a first complexity of the firstpresentation material; and display the first presentation material onthe first display, based at least in part on the determined complexityof the first presentation material.
 16. The network element of claim 15,where the network element is further configured to: receive a secondpresentation material to be displayed; determine a second complexity ofthe second presentation material, wherein the second complexity isgreater than the first complexity; display the first presentationmaterial on the second display; and display the second presentationmaterial on the first display, wherein the first display is larger thanthe second display.
 17. The logic of claim 15, wherein the display areaincludes a single display screen that can be electronically divided intoa plurality of smaller screens.
 18. The logic of claim 15, wherein thedisplay area includes a plurality of standalone display screens.
 19. Thelogic of claim 15, wherein the determining the first complexity of thefirst presentation material further comprises: scanning the firstpresentation material to determine the first complexity and a text sizeassociated with the first presentation material.
 20. The logic of claim15, the operations further comprising: determine a location of aparticipant that will view the first presentation material; and displaythe presentation material on the second display based on the location ofthe participant, wherein the location of the participant is determinedusing audio data or video data.